Very Angry and frustrated!!

[Christopha]

My 21year old son John rang me last night, he was on his way into his young ladys' place in Melbourne on the train and gave his old man a ring. We talked for 10 minutes or so and were just finishing our conversation when I heard a male voice in the background. I asked Johnny if the fellow was talking to him and he said he didn't think so.... we rang off... The piece of schidt then demanded my sons' telephone and when told "No", he proceeded to bash the bejesus out of my son! The only passengers near at the time were all young women and obviously they couldn't intervene but were very good to him after, helping with descriptions and waiting with John till his girlfriend could get there. The driver of the train got out of his cabin, saw what was happening and dived back into his cab and ignored the whole deal..... Johnny went to the police who were very good with him and they think they will probably catch the bastard as they have access to video security footage. They sent him to Connex where he was asked to fill in a complaint so that the driver can be disciplined (won't be holding our breath for that! though. At 2pm today John has a Uni exam, last night when I spoke to him he was very confident and positive, today he is not at all....He is badly bruised and very very sore, he keeps breaking down into tears and is a real mess, which is most unlike him, he keeps his cool very well at the most stressfull times usually but this has really trashed him. I just hope he can manage the exam ok. His elder brother is the same Uni and has had an exam of his own this morning so I haven't been able to contact him yet, he will be good for his brother as they are a great mutual support team when times get tough..... Sorry for the depressing posting but this is helping me vent my frustration at not being there for him..... at least his Mother will be able to go over on Saturday to give him a bit of love and support as he has another more difficult exam next week too..... AAAAAAAAARGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

[keith53]

Sorry to hear that Christopha. Gutlessness and cowardice are alive and well it seems and demonstrated so well by both the perpetrator and the driver.:mad:

[Dennis O]

Not nice mate - no-one deserves this. - As a father I felt the same when I found out that my wee 6yr old boy was being belted around by a bully while I was at work - a helpless volcanic anger. We have moved schools (for additional reasons) but I still get the same feeling when I think about it. Ba$tards!

Maybe you could contact the uni, let them know what happened - they may let him sit the exam later, or do a 'special' internal assessment. The uni may also have in-house councillors to help deal with the fallout. Is there other rellies or any of your friends that he could hang with?

[bennylaird]

Make you wonder about human nature that such scum can exist.
Hope they get him and save others from a similar fate. I'm sure the uni would also give special consideration. If no joy seek out the student councillor for help.

[Blackers]

sorry to hear this sad tale. hope your son makes a full and quick recovery. makes you think what the world is coming to when you can't even talk to your old man on the phone and some piece of s##t who probably didn't even finish school let alone go to uni, thinks that he wants your property more than you.:mad:

[outback]

Miserable bastards.

Dennis has a good point, it certainly wouldn't hurt for the Uni to know what has happened, something may be able to be done.

[Christopha]

Thanks guys, John has talked with his Mum about special consideration and will talk to the Uni people today but he wants to do the exam now if he possibly can as he has worked and studied to do it today and he doesn't want to have to sit again later so to speak, and if I know him he would also feel that the bastard will have really beaten him if he has to do it later! This is the 'kid' who when bullied at school beat the bullies every time, no matter what the hiding, by laughing at the mongrels, it must be really hard to hurt someone who just laughs and laughs the more you belt him!!!!!

By the way, we are told that a mobile phone or a $100 gets you a hit of heroin in Melbourne at the moment........

[Shannon]

Hey there Christopha,

That is some bad news to share, but at least there were those (some at least) in the situation that did help as best they could.

I work at a University and in my opinion (and my bosses) your son should definately talk to his lecturer about the incident. There is a clause called "special consideration" which is for just this kind of situation. I am unsure what the University would do - be it a resit, or % of previous assessment etc - it would be their discression, but they would definately be sympathetic to your son's situation. Your son's lecturer may not have all the info, but they would be the first port of call for this unsavoury issue.
Again they would also have a coulsellor on call and this would definately be a good thing also.

I know that for a male to admit fear etc, may be frowned upon in our society, but this sort of thing can come back to bite you at some stage whether you like it or not. Society, peer pressure etc is not worth the consequences that may appear even years down the track.

About 15 years ago our next door neighbour was attacked with a machette - very long story - and my Dad was one of the 3 or 4 neighbours who wrestled the thing off the attacker. Neighbour almost died from the injuries. Life went on, not much talked about and Dad was fine.
About 5 years later Mum and he were washing up and mum handed him a long carving knife - for what seemed no reason, Dad went white and couldn't stop shaking. He worked out that it was to do with unresolved issues to do with the attack. He had no prior issues, and hadn't really thought about it since the incident, but his body and subconscience certainly had.

Shannon.

[Shannon]

Beat me to the punch by seconds there Christopa!!

Good to still tell the Uni as even though he is sitting the exam at the right time, they will look at it with different eyes knowing what he has been through so recently.

Cheers

[Kev Y.]

Chris, sorry to hear about the son's misfotrune.

I hope they catch the prick who did this and then leave him alone in the cells with a few pentridge "mothers"

As for the train driver, I have my own private thought about him:mad:

[AlexS]

Sorry to hear about this Christopha. As others have said, your son must apply for special consideration. It could make the difference between passing and having to repeat the subject, which in the long term could mean 6 months or a years salary. The police report will help.

I hope he quickly recovers physically and emotionally - these things can really throw you. He should know that he can talk to you and the rest of the family whenever he wants to.

[Bodgy]

Chris - make sure you do inform the school or examiners about the incident. They are remarkably understanding. We had a tradegy in the family immediately before my son did his HSC, last year. He was offered a postponement or a compensating lift in marks. Unsure of the details as HI managed it all. Certainly worth doing.

[Wongo]

I am sorry to hear that Chris. It is terrible.

[craigb]

Christopha,

It just sucks. I feel very sorry for your boy.
I think you should talk him into taking his exam later (under a consideration).
After all he's probably still in shock and in no condition to do an important exam.

I hope they catch the low life.

[ozwinner]

Sorry to hear that Chris, Melbourne can be a crap place to live sometimes.

While not a personal attack on my son, but he had a stereo stolen from his car at uni last month, just as the exams are getting into full swing.

Then the low lifes went back and did it again after he had the new one fitted.
Now he has had that one replaced, he will take it out himself and keep it at home.

The world is full of scum.

Al :mad: